Egyptian art from the Pharaonic era is characterized by colossal sphinxes elaborately decorated coffins hieroglyphs & beautifully modeled reliefs. Less well-known but equally impressive are the rare & ancient images of people animals & landscapes from the pre-Pharaonic era the period that preceded & directly influenced these iconic forms of artistic expression. With lavish illustrations of more than 170 fascinating objects created from about 4000 to 2650 BC Dawn of Egyptian Art" presents the origins of these art forms & iconography that remained in use for centuries. Comprehensive texts explore the origins & early development of the culture of ancient Egypt while discussing the representation of the self & the universe the relationship between image & writing & the early Egyptians evolving view of how the world worked."